“Should we intervene or let her corrupt Shay?” Vivian asked with a smile as we remained behind.
“Let her corrupt,” I laughed softly. “Alexei is like Yuri. He shows his love with gifts. He’ll be over the moon if she asks him for something expensive.” I moved toward a different table where a piece of sports memorabilia had caught my eye. Knowing how much Ivan loved the Rockets, I couldn’t pass up the chance to bid on a few items from players he watched almost religiously. Vivian touched my arm, letting me know she was leaving to rejoin her husband, and I smiled at her before turning my attention back to the items I wanted.
After jotting down my bids and noting the closing time for each piece, I wandered around the remaining tables looking for anything else interesting. I slowed down and stopped to read the description for a Napa Valley vacation package that included a hot air balloon ride. My thoughts turned away from the ritzy glamour of the gala to my sister sitting in her cold jail cell, counting down the days and hours until her release. Ruby had always wanted to go for a ride in a hot air balloon. She used to ask for a ride in one every year on her birthday, but our parents had never arranged it.
But I can.
It would have to wait until after she completed her probation and was allowed to travel outside of the county. We could make it a girls-only trip and reconnect away from our everyday lives. Maybe not Napa Valley. She used to talk about Sedona so maybe Arizona...
“Erin?”
The familiar voice of my ex-boyfriend Teague cut through my thoughts. We had ended things on good terms almost a year before I met Ivan and I still enjoyed his company the few times we had crossed paths. Turning toward him, I smiled up at him. “Hello, Teague.”
When he moved in for a hug, I allowed it because he had never been anything but respectful of the boundaries of our friendship since the breakdown of our relationship. I was taken aback by the scent of bourbon and cigarettes clinging to him as we hugged. He had never smoked and only rarely had a beer when we dated. As we pulled apart, I noticed the stress lines around his eyes and mouth. Considering the long hours his job required, I wasn’t too surprised. Gently, I asked, “Rough time at work?”
He looked chagrined and rubbed at his jaw. “The cigarettes, huh?”
I nodded. “And the bourbon.”
He made a face. “Sorry. I, uh, got started a little early this year.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “The cigarettes are a bad habit I picked up from some of the guys on my floor at the firm.”
“Well, I’m not going to nag you about them,” I promised. “Tonight, at least.”
He laughed. “Thank goodness you’re in a festive mood tonight.”
“There are other firms you could work at,” I suggested.
“Not for the kind of money I’m making now.” His answer didn’t surprise me. If anything, it was a clear reminder of why we hadn’t worked. “I like where I’m at, and there are some clear paths to the C-suite at my firm. The bonuses can’t be beat.”
“As long as you’re happy there,” I replied, choosing not to say what I was really thinking. His issues with his work-life balance weren’t my problem anymore.
“And you? Are you happy working for your husband?” His tone was yet another reminder of why we hadn’t worked out together. “Seems like a waste of your degree and all those certifications to work as his secretary.”
“First of all,” I stepped toward him, “I worked with my husband. Secondly, I am using my degree.”
“And third?” He arched his blond brows.
“I don’t have to justify my career choices to anyone.” Handing him my empty champagne flute, I turned on my heel and walked away from him. Irritated that I let him get under my skin, I breathed out my frustration. Before I even cast a glance around the room to find Ivan, I felt his comforting hand settle against the small of my back. His familiar warmth radiated through my dress and into my skin. My eyes closed for a brief and perfect moment as he tenderly kissed my cheek and then my neck.
“Do you want me to kick his ass?” His deep, rumbling voice was barely loud enough for me to hear. He slid his arm around my waist and